SELECTING experienced players to be substitutes will be considered normal at Geelong in 2015, according to coach Chris Scott. 

Since round four veterans Steve Johnson, Andrew Mackie and Mathew Stokes have all started in the green vest. 

While the decision on Johnson in round four caused discussion, starting Mackie and Stokes as substitutes didn't raise any eyebrows because of their injury-interrupted seasons. 

However Scott said the Cats' selectors were more open to using their experienced players as substitutes this season than they had been in the past.

"It is not a stated aim to have experienced guys in that position. It's something previously we haven't done whereas now we're more open to it," Scott said.

The Cats have nine players aged 30 or above on their list in 2015.

Their other substitutes this season have been Nakia Cockatoo (three times), Cory Gregson, George Horlin-Smith and Sam Blease. 

Meanwhile Scott said out-of-contract midfielder Steve Motlop conceded his work without the ball was below par against West Coast.

He said once the 24-year-old had a look at the vision of his game he didn't require prompting to admit he needed to improve in that area.  

"He [Motlop] had a close look at his game and volunteered that he was really disappointed with his work off the ball," Scott said. 

The talented Motlop laid just one tackle against West Coast and didn't position himself well when he needed to be in a more defensive mode.

Scott said that if they knew exactly why players sometimes put in less than perfect performances then they would fix it immediately and that Motlop was capable of much better than he showed against the Eagles. 

"He's got the potential to be a very, very good defensive player and right at the moment, by his own admission, he is not that so that is a challenge for him," he said.